By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Two members of the House of Representatives have defected from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defections were announced during a plenary session on Tuesday by Speaker Tajudeen Abass, marking a notable shift in the political dynamics of Nigeria’s legislative body.
Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed, representing the Igabi Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, officially declared his switch from the PDP to the APC.
His defection is seen as a key move, considering the evolving political landscape in the North and the growing realignment of political forces within the National Assembly.
Similarly, Hon. Adamu Tanko, the representative for the Gurara/Suleja/Tafa Federal Constituency of Niger State, also joined the APC, leaving the PDP in what appears to be a calculated political maneuver ahead of the 2025 elections and ongoing political developments.
Both Mohammed and Tanko expressed their dissatisfaction with the current direction of the PDP and voiced confidence in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, further signaling a larger trend of political realignments within Nigeria’s political sphere.
The defections come at a time when the country is witnessing an increasing number of political shifts, with many politicians changing allegiances due to shifting party dynamics and individual aspirations.
Meanwhile, the APC has recently faced its own set of challenges, as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai made headlines for his decision to leave the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai, a founding member of the APC, cited frustrations with the party’s leadership and internal democracy, accusing those currently at the helm of disregarding party values.
In a statement, El-Rufai revealed that he had repeatedly raised concerns about the APC’s direction but his warnings were ignored, ultimately leading to his departure.
El-Rufai’s defection is another indicator of the growing tensions within the APC, as the party grapples with internal conflicts, despite its control over the federal government. His move to the SDP reflects a broader disillusionment with the current state of political affairs in the country.
The defections of both Hon. Mohammed and Hon. Tanko to the APC, alongside El-Rufai’s shift to the SDP, illustrate the ongoing fluidity of Nigeria’s political landscape, with many politicians seeking new alliances in response to changing political tides.
As the 2025 elections draw nearer, these developments may have a lasting impact on the country’s political future.
